Archive for the ‘Bipolar Disorder’ Category
Bipolar Disorder
A kind of depressive disorder – Bipolar disorder, alternatively termed as manic depression and manic depressive disorder, is a severe mental disorder that leads to abnormal shifts in an individual’s mood as well as energy, which in turn may result in conditions like damaged relationships and poor work or studies performance. In some severe situations, the patient may have increased tendency for suicide. Bipolar disorder usually affects a person during his teens and early adult ages. In other words, bipolar disorder mostly affects people below 25 years of age. Al though this illness is completely curable, bipolar disorder is not easy to diagnose and in some instance, a person with this depressive disorder may suffer for a long period prior to its diagnosis and treatment.
Causes of Bipolar Disorder
The reasons of bipolar disorder have not yet been exactly determined. According to the studies and researches, this mental disorder is due to a combination of factors such as genetic, neurochemical, and environmental.
Genetic causes of bipolar disorder
It is reported that about 80% of bipolar disorder is inherited or occur due to certain genetic factors. In other words, a person is more is likely to get this mental illness if he has a:
Family member with mood disorder like depression
Parents with bipolar disorder
Twin brother or sister with bipolar disorder
Biological causes of bipolar disorder Over emission of stress hormones such as cortisol
Atypical hyperactiveness in brain’s parts that are related to emotion as well as movement coordination and low bustle in brain’s parts that are related to inhibition, attention, judgment, and concentration
A person with a family history of bipolar disorder
Brain’s unusual serotonin chemistry
Environmental causes of bipolar disorder Increased usage of alcohol and drugs
Hormonal problems
Substance abuse
Seasonal factors
Types and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is classifies into four different types such as Bipolar I Disorder (Mania), Bipolar Disorder II (Hypomania), and Cyclothymia. In fact, the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder vary depending on the type of this disorder.
Bipolar Disorder I symptoms Irritability
Excessive talk
Magnified self-esteem
Impulsiveness
Unusual energy
Highly distracted
Impaired judgment
Bipolar Disorder II symptoms Fatigue
Feeling sad as well as hopelessness
Mental and physical indolence
Weight variations
Tendency to commit suicide
The symptoms of Cyclothymia are less severe when compared to other types of bipolar disorders.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The earlier the bipolar disorder is diagnosed, the more effective would be its treatment. A variety of options are available for curing this disease, from medication and counseling to psychotherapy.